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SYMBOLIC JUSTICE - DISAPPOINTED CLIENTS' VIEWS OF THEIR ATTORNEYS

NCJ Number
42010
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1977) Pages: 113-117
Author(s)
E J BERGER; R HANDBERG
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THIS BRIEF PAPER LOOKS AT HOW PRISONERS IN A SHORT TERM (A YEAR OR LESS) PRISON VIEWED THE EFFORTS OF THEIR ATTORNEYS, PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO PLEA BARGAINING.
Abstract
THE IMPRESSIONS OF THOSE PRISONERS WHO HAD HAD A PRIVATELY RETAINED COUNSEL AND THOSE WHO HAD HAD A COURT APPOINTED PUBLIC DEFENDER ARE COMPARED. THE PRIVATE ATTORNEY WAS CLEARLY PERCEIVED AS BEING MORE BENEFICIAL THAN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, POSSIBLY REFLECTING THE PRIVATE ATTORNEY'S ABILITY TO APPEAR MORE 'INTERESTED' IN THE CLIENT WHILE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER TENDS TOWARD GREATER IMPERSONALITY GIVEN GREATER CASE LOADS. THE FIRST IMPRESSION PHENOMENA CARRIES OVER INTO CONSIDERATION OF WHICH TYPE ATTORNEY IS BEST ABLE TO PLEA BARGAIN, WITH THE PRIVATE ATTORNEY BEING CLEARLY IDENTIFIED AS MOST ABLE TO ACTUALLY BARGAIN EVEN THOUGH THE ACTUAL EVIDENCE IS CONTRARY TO THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE PRISONERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...ELW